February 2010


Vienna, 9 February 2010 – The Austria Center Vienna (ACV) successfully braved the economic crisis last year, hosting about 175 events including around 30 international conferences. And Austria’s largest conference facility is looking ahead to 2010 with confidence due to its increased focus on corporate business. The Danube-side venue is well prepared thanks to comprehensive refurbishment. Flexible space, offices, suites and lounges provide the ideal setting for meetings, evening events and product launches. The ACV is also a popular location for concerts and other cultural events.

“A lot of businesses have noticed that staging events for customers and employees is particularly important in economically challenging times. We are seeing increased demand for corporate events and are well placed to respond to it,” noted Austria Center CEO Thomas Rupperti.

The ACV offers a unique range of facilities. Building alterations have created 5,400sqm of ultra-modern office space, as well as five prestigious suites and eight highly versatile, newly converted lounges occupying a total of 1,900 square metres. Smaller groups are also well catered for, with rooms available in a range of sizes, and flexible layouts to suit customer requirements. The focal point is the Crystal Lounge — a state-of-the-art catering space complete with bar area.

Over 100 corporate events in 2009

More than 100 companies staged their events at the ACV in 2009. The roll call included international heavyweights such as Samsung, which held an international conference-exhibition for 350 delegates per day, and Microsoft whose Microsoft Convergence Europe 2009 roadshow drew around 500 customers and business partners to the ACV each day. BAWAG invited some 6,000 guests to its World Savings Day gala at the Center, while other Austrian companies such as Intersport Eybl oder and Erste Bank chose it for their Christmas parties.

And the ACV took up in 2010 where left off in 2009. In January IBM welcomed around 700 staff members to its All Employees Meeting at the venue in January. The latest computer technology will be at the focus of the JSF Days in February, and a month later the Austria Center will be the scene of the NSA Leadership Convention — one of the food supplement industry’s largest events. A regular tenant is the Chamber of Certified Accountants and Tax Consultants, which will again be holding examinations and training seminars at the facility.

Starring role

While this is still inside lane information, the Austria Center Vienna is increasingly starring in commercials. Production company Filmhaus Wien is among those using the ACV as a stylish location. And the ACV’s trademark “Wave” canopy figures in a Subaru commercial, shot in the Centre’s home Donaucity district.

Acoustics attracting pop, jazz and classical

The ACV’s star is also increasingly popular as a venue for concerts and other cultural events. Organisers prize the facilities, the equipment and the ideal public transport links thanks to the U1 underground line, as well as the excellent acoustics. Events include everything from pop and jazz to classical music. Following the 2009 Kiddy Contest, when the next generation of stars wowed audiences of over 4,000 people, this year the Austria Center will be hosting some of the greats on the Austrian and international music scene. Britain’s Jamie Cullum will be performing at the ACV on 30 May, and on 2 October Andy Lee Lang will rock the house as he celebrates 25 years on stage. From 10-13 July the 39th International Youth & Music Festival will take centre stage, Gospel Power is on the bill for 13 and 14 November. The Vienna Philharmonic has also discovered the perfect acoustics at the ACV, and uses the venue for rehearsals.

Tours for new customers and regulars

“The Austria Center Vienna has recently become a cutting-edge event facility once again, whilst retaining its original character,” said CEO Thomas Rupperti. For anyone who would like to find out what the ACV is like today there are tours of the building. Please contact sales@acv.at to arrange an appointment.


About the ACV

The Austria Center Vienna(ACV) is Austria’s largest conference centre, with a current 22,000sqm of exhibition space, and is one of the top players on the international conference circuit. Opened in 1987, the ACV now has 17 halls on four levels with a total seating capacity of 10,200 following comprehensive modernisation. The halls, with capacity ranging from 100 to 4,200 people, boast state-of-the-art conference equipment. Movable partition walls provide a high degree of flexibility. In-house caterers Eurest and e-catering provide first rate service. Another advantage is the venue’s excellent transport links thanks to the Donauinsel/Vienna International Center station on the U1 underground line and the nearby Danube embankment motorway. The ACV is operated by IAKW AG headed by CEO Thomas Rupperti.

Web: www.acv.at

Images available at: Downloads


Contact

Barbara Ranzenhofer
Media & Public Relations
Austria Center Vienna, IAKW AG
Bruno-Kreisky-Platz 1
A-1220 Vienna
Tel: +43 (0)1 26069 ext. 2316
E-mail: barbara.ranzenhofer@acv.at


Dr. Neureiter-PR
Tel: + 43 (0)1 9246087
E-mail: agentur@neureiter.at